Embark on a self-guided walking tour of Seattle and immerse yourself in its rich history, stunning scenery, and vibrant culture. Discover the city’s origins, iconic landmarks, and famous attractions. Don’t miss the chance to explore the Seattle Aquarium, Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, and even the Space Needle!
- Seattle Great Wheel - Who doesn’t love a giant Ferris wheel? Check out Seattle’s Great Wheel across the pier. You might assume the city built this Ferris wheel, but that’s actually not the case! Instead, the wheel owes its existence to Seattle businessman Hal Griffith.
Note: This 1.6+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Seattle Downtown in 1-2 hours.
- Miner’s Landing Pier 57 Seattle - To our right is the bustling Miner’s Landing, chock full of food and fun for the whole family. It’s almost always buzzing with activity!
But Seattle hasn’t always been this buzzing. Long before any of these piers existed, this land was home to numerous Native tribes best known under the umbrella term of Coast Salish.
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Ye Olde Curiosity Shop - Keep walking past the Frankfurter Hot Dog stand. On the building beyond, do you see the sign that reads “Ye Olde Curiosity Shop”? Curious indeed! That shop got its start long ago, thanks to Joseph Stanley of Ohio. Growing up, Stanley always had an affinity for natural oddities and artifacts.
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Smith Tower - Do you see the beautiful cast iron pergola just ahead? That was once a cable car waiting station. Today, it’s one part of Seattle’s most historic neighborhood: Pioneer Square. Before we cross into the square, look up Yesler Way beyond the pergola. See that white tower standing tall on the left side of the street? That’s Smith Tower.
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Pioneer Square - Pause here. Welcome to Pioneer Square! This is the birthplace of modern Seattle, thanks to Henry Yesler. When Yesler arrived in Seattle in 1852, it was little more than a collection of homesteads and Salish homes.
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Sky View Observatory - This towering skyscraper to our right is Columbia Center. A building of this size required some totally new construction innovations to keep it safe. Among these were viscoelastic dampers. Hold on, I’ll try that one again in English.
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The Rainier Club - The Rainier Club is on our right. Among Seattle’s sleek, modern buildings, one one doesn’t quite fit in, does it? So what’s the deal? Well, this is home to Seattle’s oldest private club, which was established in 1888. That’s even before Washington became a state!
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Seattle Public Library - On the right is an impressive glass and metal building with large diamond patterning. This is none other than the Seattle Public Library. Though this building opened in 2004, this library actually dates back to 1868! Less than two decades after Seattle’s founding, 50 residents gathered to form a library association.
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Benaroya Hall - Pause here and look ahead and to the right. Benaroya Hall is home to the Seattle Symphony. The interior hall is actually floating on rubber pads! These isolate it from the outer shell of the building, so most outside noise never reaches the interior. Pretty cool, right?
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Hammering Man - The museum entrance is actually ahead, at the next intersection. It’s marked by a huge instrallation: a large silhouetted statue with a moving arm. Do you see it? I don’t know how you could miss it! This is Jonathan Borofsky’s Hammering Man, a 49 foot statue built to honor the working class, and hammers for 20 hours a day every single day. In Jonathan’s own words:
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The Gum Wall - It’s hard not to notice the gum covering these walls. This is not some coincidence, but rather an interesting part of Seattle’s history. This unplanned tradition started with visitors to the Market Theater waiting in line for Unexpected Productions’ improv shows.
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Pike Place Market - Pause here, with the big red Public Market sign up ahead. It’s going to get super loud and crowded up there so let me tell you now about what you’ll want to see for sure. One of the most iconic sights you’ll see in Pike Place Market is the fish market, known for its flying fish.
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Experience breathtaking scenery, history, and eccentric culture with this self-guided walking tour of Seattle. Hear about aquatic life and view the majestic Seattle Aquarium. Learn about the Coast Salish and how the city rose from a homestead! See breathtaking skyscrapers and stroll past Pioneer Square, the heart of Seattle. You’ll also learn how the city became a hub for coffee and grunge and walk past the bustling Pike Place Market! As a bonus, this package also includes a tour through Space Needle!
After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.
New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!
This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
- How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Walking Tours: couples can share one using headphones.
- Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
- Comprehensive Tour Experience: • The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
- Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
- Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
- Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
- Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
